Volleyball Study Guide

• The object of the game is to keep the volleyball, which is served over the net, from hitting the floor on your side. Teams want to return it so that it hits the floor on the opponent’s side.
• Volleyball is a fast-paced game with constant jumping and running. This is why it is a great form of physical activity. It also requires mental alertness because one must quickly react when the ball comes over the net.
• The top of the volleyball net is positioned eight feet from the ground.
• There are six players per team on the court at one time (three in the front row and three in the back row).
• No player may hit the ball two times in sequence.
• Once the ball is put into play, it is “volleyed” back and forth between the teammates up to three times before it must be hit over the net to the other team.
• A player may not touch the net.
• Servers should not step on the end line and need to get the ball over the net without help from another teammate.
• If the ball falls to the floor, is hit out of bounds, or a team commits a foul (rests the ball on any part of their body, a player double hits the ball in sequence, a player reaches over the net or touches the net, etc.) the team who made the mistake does not get the next serve. Additionally, the team who did not make the mistake gets a point.
• The first team to 25 points wins the game. However, a team must win by two points. A match consists of winning two out of three or three out of five games.
• Serve—The method of putting the ball into play over the net by striking it with one’s hand. The player in the right back position serves from behind the end line.
• Foot Fault—In the act of serving, the server steps on or over the end line. This causes the ball to be turned over to the other team.
• Side out—The serving team fails to win a point or plays the ball illegally. As a result, they turn the serve over to the other team.
• Rotation—Shifting of the players clockwise upon gaining the ball from the opponents and winning the right to serve.
• Bump—A form of legal contact with the ball where it bounces or bumps off of the forearms, wrists, or clasped hands below the chest. It is usually used for receiving serves and spiked balls.
• Set—A form of legal contact with the ball used to place the ball near the net to make an attack possible. A set uses an overhand pass (a pass made by contacting the ball above the head with the fingers).
• Spike—A difficult play in volleyball where the player runs, jumps, and hits the ball with an opened hand, to a specific spot on the other side of the net.
• Block—An attempt by a defensive player to get in the way of a hard shot at the net by the opposing team. A block does not count as one of the three hits a team is allowed.